Promotion of use of Bio-Fertilizers in the Country

The country is fully dependent on imports in Potassic sector and to the extent of 90% in Phosphatic sector in the form of either finished products or its raw material. Despite having very limited reserves of rock phosphate in the country, the indigenous production of DAP is increasing for the last four years as per details below: Production of DAP  (Lakh MT) Year Production Import Total % of prod. % of prod. over import 2010-11 35.37 74.09 109.46 32.31 48 2011-12 39.63 68.97 108.6 36.49 57 2012-13 36.47 56.41 92.88 39.27 65 2013-14 36.11 32.61 68.72 52.55 111             The Government proposes to produce manure and energy from the urban waste. The proposal is in primary stage and a draft discussion paper on ‘Promotion of City Compost’ has been circulated for inter-ministerial consultation.  However, the Government has undertaken a number of steps for promotion of use of bio-fertilizers in the country.  They are as under: (1)       Financial support for establishment of bio-fertilizers production unit as back ended subsidy @ 25% of total financial outlay up to a maximum of Rs. 40.00 lakh through NABARD is provided.  Financial assistant of 50% of cost or Rs. 100/- per hectare, whichever is less, is provided to farmers for promotion of bio-fertilizers under Integrated Scheme for Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM). (2)                    To encourage the producers of organic fertilizers, the Government is providing financial assistance for setting up of production units of organic fertilizers under following schemes:- (i)        Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), financial assistance is provided as credit linked back ended subsidy through NABARD for setting up of fruit/vegetable waste/agro-waste compost unit @33% of the total cost of project upto Rs. 60.00 lakh per unit. (ii)       Under National Horticulture Mission (NHM), financial assistance is provided for setting up vermi-compost production units @50% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary. This information was given by the Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in reply to aquestion by Shri  Mukesh Rajput in the Lok Sabha today.